YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

"You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine" (Be prepared to get watery eyes!)Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even mether.

The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of thePanther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee .In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, everythree, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery andKaren found herself in hours of labor.Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael'slittle sister was born.

But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant tothe neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville ,Tennessee.

The days inched by. The little girl got worse. Thepediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Beprepared for the worst.Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot.They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby butnow they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.

Michael,however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want tosing to her, he kept saying.Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over.Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are neverallowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether theyliked it or not.If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. Shedressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. Helooked like a walking laundry basket.

The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong inKaren, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right intothe head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he
sings to his sister" she stated.

Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang:

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray."

Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond.

The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take mysunshine away."

As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr "Keep on singing, sweetheart." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms"

Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.

"Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse.

Karen glowed."You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshineaway..."

The next day...the very next day. the little girl was well enough togo home Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.

NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.

LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.

Life is good. Have a Wonderful Day!